Multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops

ABSTRACT

A multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops for providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the consumer. The inventive device includes a strainer cup, a stopper and a stopper support. The strainer cup provides a fine stage of straining and serves to contain the strained material. The cup includes features that provide mechanical stops for operation. The cup also provides features for removal as an assembly. The cup also includes locating features that ease the assembly of the components. The cup also includes features that allow for the stopper to be held in multiple orientations. The stopper is sized and shaped to cover the fine straining holes 5 with a sealing area while also providing a coarse straining stage. The stopper support provides a means of locating and supporting the stopper in it&#39;s various open, closed and assembly positions. It&#39;s centralized position under the stopper gives the assembly an enhanced overall appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sink strainers and more specifically it relates to a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops for providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the consumer.

2. Description of the Related Art

It can be appreciated that sink strainers have been in use for years. Typically, sink strainers are comprised of sink strainers and stoppers. The bulk of which are similar in design in that they have a strainer cup on top of a drain stopper or plug. There have been some attempts to put the stopper on top of the strainer cup as evidenced in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,242 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,253.

The main problem with conventional sink strainers placing the strainer cup on top of the stopper, is all of the strainer holes or slots are visible thereby making the product less desirable esthetically. Another problem with conventional sink strainers are that when putting the stopper on top of the cup, they do not offer effective mechanical locating devices for easy assembly or operation. Attempts to remedy this flaw have left a less than desirable visible feature. Also, these attempts have not provided a means of removing the strainer and stopper together as an assembly for easy cleaning. Another problem with conventional sink strainers are they offer very limited opportunity for appearance customizing by the consumer.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the consumer. The main problem with conventional sink strainers placing the strainer cup on top of the stopper, is all of the strainer holes or slots are visible thereby making the product less desirable esthetically. Another problem is that when putting the stopper on top of the cup, they do not offer effective mechanical locating devices for easy assembly or operation. Attempts to remedy this flaw have left a less than desirable visible feature. Also, these attempts have not provided a means of removing the strainer and stopper together as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, another problem is they offer very limited opportunity for appearance customizing by the consumer.

In these respects, the multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sink strainers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the consumer.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that has many of the advantages of the sink strainers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art sink strainers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a strainer cup, a stopper and a stopper support. The strainer cup provides a fine stage of straining and serves to contain the strained material. The cup includes features that provide mechanical stops for operation. The cup also provides features for removal as an assembly. The cup also includes locating features that ease the assembly of the components. The cup also includes features that allow for the stopper to be held in multiple orientations. The stopper is sized and shaped to cover the fine straining holes 5 with a sealing area while also providing a coarse straining stage. The stopper support provides a means of locating and supporting the stopper in it's various open, closed and assembly positions. It's centralized position under the stopper gives the assembly an enhanced overall appearance.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops for providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the consumer.

Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that acts as a sink strainer/stopper combination with multiple stages of straining.

Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that offers the ability to be customized in appearance.

Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that provides mechanical stops and locators to make operation easy.

Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that allows for removal as an assembly for easier cleaning.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention as separated for cleaning.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the present invention in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the present invention in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the stopper and stopper support combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops, which comprises a strainer cup, a stopper and a stopper support. The strainer cup provides a fine stage of straining and serves to contain the strained material. The cup includes features that provide mechanical stops for operation. The cup also provides features for removal as an assembly. The cup also includes locating features that ease the assembly of the components. The cup also includes features that allow for the stopper to be held in multiple orientations. The stopper is sized and shaped to cover the fine straining holes 5 with a sealing area while also providing a coarse straining stage. The stopper support provides a means of locating and supporting the stopper in it's various open, closed and assembly positions. It's centralized position under the stopper gives the assembly an enhanced overall appearance.

The strainer cup provides a fine stage of straining and serves to contain the strained material. The cup includes features that provide mechanical stops for operation. The cup also provides features for removal as an assembly. The cup also includes locating features that ease the assembly of the components. The cup also includes features that allow for the stopper to be held in multiple orientations. The strainer cup is shaped to fit into existing sink drain openings as well as existing waste disposer openings. Generally shaped with a bottom/seal area 4, cylindrical side 3 and flange 1. It is provided with a flange 1 to support the assembly and cover the drain/waste disposer opening with a seal area 12 on the underside of flange 1 for sealing fluid flow between the cup and the existing sink. It is further provided with a second seal area 4 for sealing fluid flow between the cup and the stopper. It is also provided with holes 5 shaped and sized to provide a fine straining function. It is also provided with shaped hole features 8 & 13 to accept and locate the stopper support in its various positions while still maintaining the fine straining function. It is also provided with a conical recess feature 10 to assist in proper assembly. It is lastly provided with mechanical stop features 7 to positively position the stopper support in its various positions. The sealing area 12 could be a lip that rests on the sink bottom surface, or it could be a seal between the outer cylindrical surface of the cup and the inner cylindrical surface of the sink basin basket, it could also be a sealing area between the bottom of the cup and sink basin basket. Optionally a colored flexible seal 9 could be provided between the cup seal area 12 and the sink bottom. The optional seal could be a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the flange 1 allowing the consumer the opportunity to customize the overall appearance. The strainer cup could be a single piece or made from multiple pieces with a myriad of possible shapes and configurations depending on the desired appearance and function. The seal areas could be integral or separate as above. The fine strainer holes could take on a myriad of sizes, shapes and patterns. The hole features 8 could alternatively be pockets. The features for accepting and locating the stopper support could take on many configurations depending on the stopper support configuration. The strainer cup could be constructed using various materials and could incorporate secondary treatments depending on the function and appearance desired.

The stopper is sized and shaped to cover the fine straining holes 5 with a sealing area while also providing a coarse straining stage. The stopper 2 in the closed position shown in FIG. 2 covers the fine straining holes 5. Further in the closed position the stopper seal area 14 seals against cup seal area 4 to prevent fluid flow between the stopper and cup. In the open position shown in FIG. 3 fluid flows thru the gap 21 between the periphery 20 of the stopper 2 and the strainer cup wall 3. The gap is sized to provide a coarse straining stage preventing larger filtrate material from passing thru. In the preferred embodiment the stopper is provided with a knob 11 for ease of use. The stopper could be a single piece or made from multiple pieces with a myriad of possible shapes and configurations depending on the desired appearance and function. It could include an integral seal area or the seal area could be composed of multiple pieces. The stopper optionally could be provided with a flexible colored seal 15 to enhance the function and appearance of the assembly. It could incorporate a handle 11 for ease of use that could be integral or attached. The stopper support feature could be integral with the stopper as shown or assembled separately. The stopper could be constructed using various materials and could incorporate secondary treatments depending on the function and appearance desired.

The stopper support provides a means of locating and supporting the stopper in it's various open, closed and assembly positions. It's centralized position under the stopper gives the assembly an enhanced overall appearance. The stopper support functions to hold and locate the stopper in it's open and closed positions. The stopper support features one or more ribs 18 aligned perpendicular to the stopper seal area 14. The ribs 18 function as legs to support the stopper in it's open position. The ribs 18 are sized to provide a gap 22 in the open position FIG. 3 between the stopper seal area 14 and the cup seal area 4 allowing sufficient fluid flow for drainage. In the preferred embodiment there would be three or more ribs 18 to provide stable support. In the closed position the ribs 18 pass thru the holes 8 in the cup. There would be one or more features 16 provided for locating the support into the cup locating feature 10. The support stop features 19 are sized and shaped to interact with the cup stop features 7 providing positive location of the support to the cup for moving between the open and closed positions. There would also be provided separate features 6 that would pass thru strainer cup hole/s 13 and resist pulling back out in order to hold the cup and support together for removal from the sink as an assembly. Alternatively the features 6 could rotate under a feature in the cup in the closed position to hold the support and cup together as an assembly in the closed position without the need to collapse as in the preferred embodiment. The ribs 18 and the locating area 10 could be shaped to act as ramps or cam surfaces to allow for multiple open positions. However the ramp features could be incorporated in the cup alternatively. The ribs could take on a myriad of shapes sizes and quantity depending on the desired configuration of the cup features and or stopper. The support could be multiple pieces or even integral with the stopper as shown. The support could be constructed using various materials and could incorporate secondary treatments depending on the function and appearance desired.

The strainer cup seals against the existing sink to prevent fluid flow and in the closed position the stopper seal area 14 seals against cup seal area 4 to prevent fluid flow between the stopper and cup. Thusly sealing the whole sink. The stopper and stopper support work as a rigid assembly. In the open position the gap 21 between the periphery of the stopper 2 and the cup wall 3 is sized to provide a coarse straining stage preventing larger filtrate material from passing thru while allowing sufficient fluid flow. The ribs 18 resting on top of the cup bottom 4 are sized to provide a gap 22 in the open position FIG. 3 between the stopper seal area 14 and the cup seal area 4 allowing sufficient fluid flow for drainage. When operating the assembly between open and closed positions the Stop features 19 and 7 make contact with each other to stop movement at the correct positions. When going from open to closed the stop features position the rib features 18 to pass thru the hole features 8. When going from closed to open the stop features position the rib features 18 over the seal area 4 to hold the assembly open. Locating feature 16 interacts with the locating feature 10 and hole 13 to locate the stopper and stopper support with relation to the cup. Features 6 interacts with hole 13 in such a manner as to resist passing thru hole 13. Assembly of the Stopper support and cup for use, and separation for cleaning is accomplished by the collapsing of features 16 and 17 allowing features 6 to pass thru feature 13. As an alternative hole feature 13 could be shaped to allow features 6 to pass thru without requiring collapsing of features 16 and 17. Removing the whole assembly as one would then be accomplished by rotating features 6 under an additional feature in the cup that would prevent features 6 from passing thru hole feature 13. As another alternative cup wall 3 could be conical in shape being wider at the top near the intersection of flange 1. Then the stopper could be positioned in multiple locations relative to the cup bottom 4. This would provide for a larger and smaller gap 21 between the stopper periphery and the cup wall 3, thereby allowing more or less fluid flow in the coarse straining stage.

Operation is accomplished by placing the cup as an assembly into the opening of the existing sink or waste disposer. No tools would be required. The stopper and support assembly are operated in order to close or open the strainer allowing for or preventing fluid flow. In the closed position the stopper seal area 14 rests on top of the cup seal area 4. When opening the stopper support is lifted in a generally vertical direction until the support features 6 make contact with the bottom of hole feature 13. At this position the stopper/support assembly is rotated until stop features 19 and 7 make contact with each other. At this position the stopper support assembly is released and allowed to rest in the open position on top of the cup bottom 4 allowing fluid flow. Closing the assembly is accomplished in reverse by rotating the stopper/support assembly in the opposite direction until the stop features 19 and 7 again make contact. At this position the stopper/support assembly is released and allowed to fall into the closed position. For cleaning purposes the stopper/support assembly is lifted in the generally vertical direction until features 6 contact the bottom of hole feature 13. Continuing to lift the stopper/support assembly will then also lift the cup as a complete assembly. Once the entire assembly is removed from the sink the stopper/support assembly can be separated from the cup by pulling the components apart facilitated by the collapsing of features 16 and 17. Reassembly for use is accomplished in reverse by locating feature 16 relative to hole 13 with the help of locating feature 10. Once centered the assembly is accomplished by pushing the features 16 and 6 thru the hole 13 facilitated by the collapsing of features 16 and 17. Once assembled the entire assembly can again be placed in the sink or waste disposer opening.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A sink basket, stopper and support assembly comprising: i) A basket portion configured and dimensioned to be receivable and removable within an existing sink drain opening, the bottom portion having a plurality of openings, said basket portion having mechanical stops to limit movement of said support portion, said basket portion having features for locating said support portion when receiving said support portion. ii) A stopper portion configured and dimensioned to be receivable and removable within said basket portion, said stopper having an open and closed position, said stopper portion when in the open position is sized to limit the size of strained material from flowing around said stopper periphery, said stopper portion when in the closed position is sized to cover the plurality of openings in said basket portion limiting the flow of fluid thru said openings. iii) A support portion having ribs configured and dimensioned to hold said stopper portion in the open and closed positions, said support portion having at least one locating feature to locate said support portion when being received in said basket portion, said support portion being attached centrally underneath said stopper portion, said support portion having at least one feature to releasably attach said support portion to said basket portion.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has at least one sealing surface to limit flow of fluids between said basket portion and the sink opening.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has a sealing surface to limit flow of fluids between said basket portion and said stopper portion when stopper portion is in the closed position.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has a plurality of openings for allowing fluid flow when said stopper portion is in the open position.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has openings configured to accept said support portion when in the closed position.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has at least one feature for limiting the movement of said support portion between a closed position and an open position.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has at least one feature for locating said support portion when receiving said support portion.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper portion has at least one sealing surface for limiting flow of fluids between said basket portion seal of claim 3 and said stopper portion when stopper portion is in the closed position.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper portion is configured and dimensioned to create a gap between said stopper and said basket when in the open position, for the purpose of limiting the size of strained material from flowing around said stopper portion's periphery.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper portion has at least one feature for grasping said stopper portion facilitating the movement of said stopper between the open and closed positions.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion has at least three legs for stability configured to support the stopper in the open position when bottom of legs are in contact with said basket portion bottom.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion legs of claim 11 are configured to pass thru openings of claim 5 in said basket bottom when in the closed position.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion legs are configured to limit movement between the open and closed positions in conjunction with said basket portion feature of claim
 6. 14. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion has at least one feature to locate support within said basket portion feature of claim
 7. 15. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion has at least one feature to releasably attach said support portion to said basket portion.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing surface of claim 2 is a separate component.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing surface of claim 8 is a separate component. 